by M Guida
“I’ll be okay.” But I was lying. Lucien knew I was lying. Thanks to my body shaking like a salt shaker.
“You don’t have a choice.” He laid me gently back onto the mattress. “I’m staying.”
“I agree. Good night and stay safe.” Anton clicked off the light.” Call me if you need me.”
Mina sighed softly and stirred on her bed, then went silent.
“You don’t have to stay here–”
Lucien’s lips were on mine, and his kiss silenced my protest. He stretched out on top of me and pulled me into his arms. He broke off the kiss.
“I promise I’ll be here all night and I’ll slay any dragons who come near you.” His husky voice quenched my rising panic and I could breathe easier.
I ran my fingers through his hair. “I bet you would.”
“Absolutely.” He kissed my nose. “Now, go to sleep. I’ll keep you safe.”
I hoped he was right and tried to block out the dream. I absently rubbed my throat and winced. My dreams were becoming too real, and if I wasn’t careful, I would never wake up.
Chapter 20
With Lucien’s arms snug around me, the nightmares didn’t haunt me. We were up early and dressed. Today was the big day of using the Puriforgio Virtuesus spell. Montae had left earlier and was patrolling the grounds with the guards. He probably got little sleep last night. The professors had gone all out and made scrambled eggs, fried bacon and sausage, and for a special treat, huge cinnamon rolls dripping with icing.
Katona stared at me. “Bo really did that to you?”
I shrugged and put my palm on my sore throat, trying to hide the bruises. “I don’t know. The person in my dream was Bo.”
Dante put down his fork. “You don’t think it was Bo?”
I concentrated on my cinnamon roll and broke it apart. “I don’t know. Anton thinks it might have been Cormac.”
Rhys folded his arms. “His eyes changed from blue to white, didn’t they?”
Lucien rubbed my back. “How did you know?”
“It’s one of the Unseelie’s many powers to try and capture your soul. Once they capture your soul, you’re enslaved with them forever.”
Bo’s handsome face flashed in my mind. The hair on the back of my neck stood straight up and I could feel the blood drain from cheeks. “You don’t think the Unseelies have Bo or Poppy’s soul do you?”
Rhys shook his hand. “No, I don’t. They can bring the dead back to life, but to ensnare the soul, the victim must be alive. Bo and Poppy were both dead when he brought them back. My dad told me that we can help release them from Cormac’s grip and allow them to rest in peace.”
Xavier and I both blurted, “How?”
“You won’t like it,” Rhys said warily.
Xavier pulled his upper lip in a snarl. “Tell us.”
“The Path of the Burning Flame. Only the sacrifice can set them free.”
I clasped Lucien’s hand. “Someone needs to die?”
“Dad didn’t say that, but a sacrifice needs to be made when we confront the evil.” He held up his palm. “Don’t ask me anymore questions. Dad’s as talkative as Anton.”
“Great.” Fine white lines of tension bracketed Xavier’s mouth and then he shoved his half-eaten plate away. “So, we’re totally fucked.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Lucien gave him a steady stare. “We haven’t practiced the Puriforgio Virtuesus spell yet.”
“And that worked so well last time.” Xavier stabbed his knife into the table, making me jump.
Anton got up from the table and came over. “Is there a problem, Xavier?”
“No,” he growled.
“You need to learn to control your anger, wolf. Otherwise, Cormac will use it against you. You don’t want him to take your soul.” He gripped Xavier’s shoulder. “You want to save Poppy, don’t you?”
Xavier jerked his head up and slammed his fist on the table, rattling the plates and glasses near him. “What do you mean? She’s dead. How can I save her?”
“By letting her be at rest. Only by forgiving yourself will this happen.”
Tears formed in the corner of Xavier’s eyes. “How can I do that? It’s my fault she died.”
“No, the fault is Faas and Ryker’s. You need to honor her, Xavier. Otherwise, her sacrifice to save you was for naught.”
Xavier growled and jumped up from the table, throwing off his clothes. He shifted into a gray timber wolf and ran out of the cafeteria at a full run.
Mina got up and grabbed them. She went to follow, but Anton clasped her shoulder.
He shook his head. “Let him go. He needs to find his own way.”
“It’ll be okay.” I clutched her hand.
She slowly sat, but disbelief fixed in her eyes. “Are you sure?”
I took a deep breath and put out my chest. “Yeah, I am.” I winked. “Because we’re the Defenders.”
Zayne lifted his glass of half empty orange juice. “To the Defenders, and too Bo and Poppy.” His serious tone made my throat tightened.
I mimicked him and gripped my empty water glass. “To the Defenders. To Bo and Poppy.”
Everyone followed suit and raised their glasses filled with juice or water. They echoed the salute.
“Good.” Anton scanned each of our solemn faces. “I believe we’re ready.” He gestured with our arm. “Shall we?”
Lucien stood and put his hands on the back of my chair. “Defenders.”
I swallowed the last bite of my cinnamon roll and wiped my sticky fingers on the napkin. “I’m ready.”
Anton smiled in approval. “Good. Let’s head out.”
Mina jumped up with panic in her gaze. “What about Xavier?”
I rubbed her back. “Don’t worry. He’ll be there.”
“He’s in pain, Raven. I’m just afraid he’ll go after Faas, Ryker, or worse, Cormac.” Her warning tone sent chills roll down my spine.
Raising my chin high, I gave her an intense stare. “I’ll protect him. I promise. Nothing will happen to any of my friends again.”
She clamped her mouth shut and held his clothes against her chest.
Lucien edged himself in between us and clutched my chin firmly. “Don’t even think about playing the Lone Ranger.” He slipped his arms around my neck and leaned his forehead against mine. “We’re in this together. Better or for worse.”
I threaded my fingers in his hair. “I won’t do anything stupid.”
“No, but you’re brazen.”
I cocked my eyebrow. “And you’re not?”
He kissed me and then grinned. “Touché.” Our hands locked together, and we headed out to the arena.
The simple gesture sent strength pumping through me. It was as if his touch had awakened the power inside me.
Lucien stole a glance at me and leaned closer. “You feel it too?”
I nodded.
He raised my hand and kissed it. “Pretty cool, huh?”
The stubble of his beard sent hot sensations racing through me and I looked into his dark eyes, willing him to stay alive, for him not to do anything, no matter what happened. But I knew him. He was Lucien, and telling him to stand down would be useless.
We reached the arena and as always we split up–Katona, Mina, and I going through the women’s locker room and the guys going through the men’s. We walked through the locker room silently, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
When we got outside, Xavier was jogging, his arms and legs pumping around the arena at full force. Admiration flared in Mina’s eyes and she put his clothes down on a bench. His hair ripped around him. He had only a pair of sweats and sweat trickled down his naked, chiseled chest. He still had a deep scowl, and I didn’t think running around the track would ease the rage gripping him.
Lucien emerged from the locker room, and like Xavier, only had on a pair of sweats. He was taller than the others, and I swear Michael Angelo had sculpted his gorgeous abs. A pit of desire flared in my belly and I moistene
d my lips. I saw the spot where we’d made love a couple of months ago, remembering how I slid my hands over his body, feeling his muscles ripple beneath my palms.
Stop it. Concentrate.
Anton motioned with his hand. “Warm up like Xavier for a few minutes.”
We ran around the track for about fifteen minutes before Anton called us over.
Anton clapped his hands. By the time we were finished, Montae had joined Anton. He had dark circles under his eyes and the tight set of his jaw spelled trouble.
“Montae, what’s wrong?” Lucien panted and wiped the sweat off his brow.
“Trouble.” Montae turned his gaze toward Mt. Elbert. “There has been a stir of activity up at Mt. Elbert. I fear more Unseelie have passed through whatever portal Ryker has created. Rumors have circulated that more of the undead have risen and people have gone missing.”
My shoulders slumped. What if my parents were part of the undead? Were they even still alive? Every scrap of energy drained out of me at his dire report. My knees knocked together and my hands trembled.
“The kings have returned to their kingdoms to protect their kin. Tomorrow will not be an easy battle.”
Lucien frowned. “Dad didn’t tell me.”
“None of them did,” Dante said grimly as he looked between Rhys and Lucien.
The desire I had just experienced faded away, replaced with an intense fear. I stuck my shaking hands into the pocket of my desire. I was supposed to be the leader of the Defenders and cowering like a mouse wasn’t an option.
“Tomorrow won’t be easy,” Anton agreed. “But the longer we wait, the strong the enemy’s forces become.” He turned his pointed gaze to Zayne and Montae. “Neither of you have participated in the Puriforgio Virtueus spell. The spell comes from the Mystificus, the silver dragon spell book. The silver dragon draws on the power of each of you and with a mighty force flings it at an enemy.” He put his hands behind his back and strolled around us as if he didn’t have a care in the world, but his dark eyes told a different story. He was worried. “Only a team filled with love and friendship can do this. Something Ryker and Cormac do not understand. They only understand hate and fear.” He stopped and gave Xavier a heated gaze. “If you can’t manage your anger and hate, they’ll use it against you.” He tilted his head. “And us.”
Xavier narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin in defiance.
“If you can’t control your emotions,” Anton said softly. “You shouldn’t come with us.”
Xavier pulled back his upper lip and his face turned purple with anger.
“Anton,” I said softly. “Xavier won’t let us down. He’s one of us.” I looked at Xavier. “Will you?”
Xavier didn’t look at me but went nose-to-nose with Anton. “No, I won’t.”
Mina gasped and covered her mouth.
We all waited to see if Anton would have Montae lock Xavier up in the dungeon below his home, but instead he nodded. “Very well, wolf. All of you, gather your weapons. We will start the spell slowly.” He picked up an arrow and placed it a couple of feet in front of us. “I have placed a target at the end of the field. Our goal is to rise the arrow and then flung it toward the target.”
At the murmurs and startled gazes, Anton chuckled. “I told you. During this battle, I will be part of the Defenders.”
The corners of my mouth broaden into a wide grin. “You’ve always been part of the Defenders, Anton.”
Despite Anton’s best efforts to pretend my compliment hadn’t affected him, a flush of warmth ran up his throat and darkened his completion. He looked away and coughed. “Raven, you will start.”
I had to bury the laughter bubbling to burst through my tight lips and concentrate on what I was doing.
Strange sensations inched up the back of my neck and I couldn’t shake the feeling we were being watched. Maybe the Unseelie had the power to be invisible. Anton and Rhys hadn’t said.
I squared my shoulders and stuck my trusted crossbow into the circle.
“Now each of you touch the end of her crossbow with your weapon.”
Lucien was the first and touched the tip of his sword to mine, followed by Rhys’ bow, and Dante’s ax. Zayne looked the most unsure when he rested the tip of his sword against my mine. It was only then that I recognized it was Bo’s sword.
I gave him a quizzical frown.
Zayne looked at each of us, his cheeks turning bright red. “Dad gave me his sword. According to him, I’m to be the next king and should have the dragon blade, but I wanted it because the weapons had belonged to Bo.”
Anton bowed his head slightly. “May it serve you well.”
Zayne’s face turned even brighter, and he nodded slightly. “Thank you.”
Xavier, Montae, and Anton added their swords to the circle. Last, Katona and Mina moved in closer and edged the tips of their daggers to the foray.
Anton scanned each of our grim faces. “Now, I want you to each concentrate on the arrow and draw on your auras.”
I closed my eyes and filled my lungs with air.
Please, help.
My dragon flashed in my mind and two colors-yellow and orange-glowed around her. I was the only in the group who had two different auras that made me the odd ball out again, but I learned it also made me powerful.
“Go ahead, Raven,” Anton said softly.
I opened my eyes again, and a rainbow of auras flittered around us. “Puriforgio Virtueus.” My loud voice reverberated in chest.
A tugging sensation pulled on my chest and then explode into a fragment of power, surging through me. I tilted my head back and shook. Sparks burst from the center of our weapons and a burst of color jetted over to the arrow. The arrow spun around in a circle faster and faster than slid across the grass toward the target.
Montae looked at me with surprise. “I’ll be damned.”
The tips of Lucien’s mouth drew up in a large grin. “Told you.”
Zayne was the first to lower his sword. “Wow, that was amazing.” He touched his forehead. “I feel a little strange.”
“All of you lower your weapons,” Anton instructed. “That was pretty good for our first try, but we need to be better, much better. Take a break for a minute before we try again.”
I dropped my crossbow to my side. “With our weapons.”
Anton headed to retrieve the arrow. “I think we need to be more proficient with our weapons before we do it without them.”
Startled, Montae’s eyes grew wider, more brown. “How can we possibly do the spell without our weapons? We’re more powerful with them.”
“Actually, we’re not.” Rhys plopped down on the grass. He cracked his neck and stretched his arms over his head. “The shifters are more power without their weapons. To tell the truth, we all are.”
“Seriously?” Montae frowned, like he thought we were trying to pull the wool over his eyes.
Anton came back. “We need to try again.”
“Oh, my God, look.” Katona pointed up into the blue sky.
I blinked again and again, not wanting to admit what I was seeing. But as much as I wanted to deny it, a shadow fell over me, freezing my blood and breaking my heart, making it too real. A red dragon coiled into a circle like a hissing snake and then soared back to Mt. Elbert.
Chapter 21
We slowly followed the dragon’s path to Mt. Elbert, but it was difficult to see what was happening because a thick fog had hidden the rugged peak. The red dragon disappeared into the clouds without once looking back.
Tears stung my eyes, and I lowered my head. Ryker and Cormac would soon all of our secrets. We would be walking into a trap tomorrow, but what choice did we have?
Zayne sat on a bench and rested his elbow on one knee. His palm covered his forehead, but his thick red hair hid his face. He was trembling and tears dripped onto his thigh. I wasn’t the only one with a broken heart.
“That is not nature’s fog.” Anton broke into my bleak thoughts. “That is from dark magic.
”
“They know we’re coming.” Montae dropped his hand that had been shielding his eyes from the sun. “We’re walking into a trap.”
He echoed my sentiments that I couldn’t utter. Everything seemed so hopeless. Our beloved friends were being forced to become our greatest foes, and there was nothing we could do about it.
“Have heart,” Anton said softly. “This is the first attack to break down our faith. Be on alert. Cormac is a master of taking your biggest fear and using it against you.”
I couldn’t stand seeing my team in a state of shock and despair. Anton was right. This was what Cormac wanted.
I clasped my crossbow and dragged myself to my feet. I pushed my shoulders back and narrowed my eyes at Mt. Elbert. “Cormac and Ryker know we’re coming. Let’s give them something to be really afraid of.”
Lucien joined me and tilted his head. “Defenders, let’s avenge.” His quiet voice brought a glimmer of hope in each of my team and drew a smile on Anton’s face.
Once again they formed a circle and added the tip of their weapons to my crossbow.
Please, help.
“Puriforgio Virtuesus.” This time, my voice was more forceful. A fountain of sparks exploded into the air from the center of our weapons like the fireworks finale on the fourth of July.
Bam Bam Bam
As I drew on the Defender’s auras, streams of power surged through me in every direction. A blast of silver nailed the arrow. It skidded across the grass, but it rose into the air and slammed into the target, hitting the blue target.
Montae clasped my shoulder. “Not a bullseye, but pretty damn good.”
I glanced up at him. “We’ve never been this good with our weapons.”
“Really?”
Anton’s eyes twinkled. “You will see true power when we move up to the next level, Montae, but for now, we practice with our weapons.”
For the next two hours, we practice again and again with our weapons, moving the arrow closer to the bullseye, but never hitting the mark.
Anton held up his hand. “We’ll break for lunch and we will use the spell without our weapons.”
